A malicious, destructive phoenix fire chief, Beatty is an educated, perceptive manipulator who surrounds himself with a nest of literary snippets. From this mishmash of aphorisms, he selects appropriate weapons with which to needle and vex Montag, his adversary, in a one-sided verbal duel. Beatty’s stand against the dissenting fireman is an essential outgrowth of his role as the sole phoenix in this dark world. At Montag’s bedside and later in front of his house, Beatty overestimates his control of a desperate man. When Montag sets him aflame (somewhat encouraged by Beatty), Beatty burns into black ash, opening the way for Montag to spring into his own incarnation as the succeeding phoenix and bringer of light.